History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 83

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 83
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 83
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 83

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The first mercantile establishment de- voted exclusively to groceries, was opened by H. E. R. Hill, in April, 1880. Liberal dealing and honesty of purpose have par- tieipated in making this a success and it is at present one of the flourishing insti- tutions of the town.

Henry E. R. Hill, grocer, was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Dec. 22, 1817. Ilis parents, Henry and Lydia (Thomas) Hill,

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were natives of New York State also. When twelve years of age he moved with his parents to Chautauqua county, re- maining six years. Henry then went to La Salle Co., Ill., where he remained one year. He then removed to Ogle county, being an early settler both in that and Winnebago county, in which counties he lived alternately until 1854. Then re- moving to Waterloo, Iowa, he purchased the first town lot ever sold there, and en- gaged in the livery business, speculating in real estate, and from 1856 to 1857 had an interest in the water power of that city. In 1859 he went to the Rocky mountains and in 1861 returned to Win- nehago Co., Ill., engaging in merchandis- ing at Cherry Valley. . In October, 1876, he moved to Garner, Iowa, being a mer- chant there until 1880, at which time he came to Britt, where he has since been engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Ilill has been twice married. He was united in marriage Sept. 1, 1844, with llarriett Wadsworth, a native of New York State. One child blessed this union -Maria A. She is still living. Mrs. Ilill died Sept. 14, 1868. Mr. Ilill again married, Dec. 2, 1869, Rosetta Graves. They have one child-Hattie L. Mr. Ilill has been a member of the board of alderman at Britt, and in 1880 held by appointment the office of supervisor of Hancock county. He belongs to the Ma- sonic order at Britt.

Prior to the building of the town, L. O. Huntly erected a warehouse for purchas- ing and shipping from this station, and continued to operate it from 1875 to 1880. This building was constructed in Septem- ber, 1875.

Levi O. Huntly was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., June 25, 1837. In 1849 he moved with his parents to Dodge Co., Wis., where he remained until 1857. Ile then removed to Clayton Co., Iowa, where, in 1861, he enlisted in company C, 13th United States Infantry, First Battal- lion, serving three years, after which he went to Nashville, Tenn. After a resi- dence there of two years he went to Win- neshiek Co, Iowa, remaining until 1867, then moving to Clear Lake, Iowa, where he built the first grain warehouse. He remained in the grain business there until 1875, then came to Britt, engaging in the same business and building the first warehouse in Britt. Mr. Huntly was married Feb. 5, 1866, to Nellie Joslin, a native of Ohio. They have seven chil- dren-William W., Sidney J., Tina M, Daisy, Leon, Nellie and Gay. Mr. Huntly is a member of ITowe Post No. 179, G. A. R., of Britt.

In July, 1878, two elevators, to accom- modate the wheat and grain trade, were erected. One was put up by W. Finch and the other by D. R. Putnam. These were at that time both operated by E. P. Finch and were opposite the Milwaukee depot.

The agricultural implement business of Britt is in the hands of Eugene S. Ross, who was the first to enter into that line of trade. In February, 1879, he commenced operations and continues to monopolize the trade to a large extent, being the only resident dealer in that class of ma- chinery.

The round elevator was built in 1880 and passed into the hands of Mr. Ross, who has his agricultural warehouse there

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as well, although his office is at the C. M. & St. P. Railway depot, near at hand.

Eugene S. Ross was born Sept. 9, 1852, in Dane Co., Wis. His parents, Samuel S. and Caroline (Murray) Ross, were na- tives of New York State. Eugene was the eldest of six children. He spent his boyhood days on a farm and remained in Dane county until 1873, when he went to Mason City, lowa, being engaged in farm- ing until the fall of 1878. In 1879 he lo- eated in Britt, engaging in the agricul- tural implement business, at which he is now successfully engaged. He was united in marriage Sept. 29, 1880, with Jessie Thompson, a native of Dubuque, Iowa. They have one child-Ella A. Mr. Ross is a member of the board of aldermen of Britt, having been elected in 1882.

One of the most prominent industries of this region is the pressing and baling of hay for a foreign market. The first press was started by L. Tuttle, in the fall of 1881, and afterwards was succeeded by Charles Walton. This business is repre- sented at present by the following firms: Baker & Brown, J. E. O. Bennett, M. Brown and Son, and Charles Walton. As an instance of the magnitude of this busi- ness it is noted that the building employed for this purpose by Baker & Brown is 40x68 feet in size, sixteen feet high, with a large loft above, and has a capacity of storing seventy tons of hay, and the presses are run by steam power, turning out last year about 600 tons of hay, gatlı- ered from the wild prairie that lies in the immediate neighborhood of Britt. This is only one out of the four firms, which all do a large business of the same following, some during a much larger business.

Thomas M. Brown, of the firm of Baker & Brown, hay press, was born May 9, 1835, in Sussex Co., N. J. When nine- teen years of age he went to Michigan, where he resided two years. In the spring of 1854 he went to Stillwater, Minn., being engaged in trade and farm- ing. In 1861 he enlisted in company B, Ist Minnesota regiment, serving two years and nine months, being then dis- charged on account of disability. He then located in Minneapolis, Minn., where he lived until the fall of 1882, at which time he came to Britt and engaged in the hay pressing business. On Dec. 1, 1883, the firm embarked in the wholesale and retail coal trade, in which they have es- tablished a good run of custom. Mr. Brown was married Aug. 4, 1864, to Catharine Kelly, a native of Ireland. They have eight children-Mary L., Frank, George, Henry, Joseph, Frederick, Anastacia and Arthur.

Jolin E. O. Bennett was born March 13, 1858, in Hickman, Ky. When six years of age he removed with his parents to Richland Co., Wis., where he received his education and grew to manhood. He was there engaged in farming until 1880, when he left home for a western trip with a view of locating in the far west. He, however, returned eastward and located in Britt, in July, 1880. He has since been engaged in buying and selling hay. Ile also purchases all kinds of pro- duce when markets are favorable.

The first saloon in the town was opened in October, 1876, by A. J. Coyle. This was the only institution of the kind until the year 1880, when a second was erected and opened by J. W. Farley. This con-

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tinned until in May, 1883, at which date the stock, fixtures, good-will, etc., passed into the hands of A. D. White, by pur- chase.

Albert D. White, an old settler of Britt, is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and was born Oct. 8, 1820. He was there reared on a farm, receiving his education from the schools of his native county. In 1842 he went to Boone Co., Ill., there farming till 1849; he then removed to Clay Co., Ill., where he also tilled the soil. Ile then removed to Algona, Iowa, there being engaged in different lines of business until 1876. He then returned to Illinois, locating in Stark county, where he resided one year. Hle then returned to Iowa, locating in Britt, where he has since been a prominent and successful man. Mr. White was united in marriage in January, 1842, to Alma L. Tremain, a native of New York. They have had two children, one of whom is now living -Catharine E .; Albert P. is deceased. He is a member of the Masonic order, and also a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. White is constable of Britt township, having held that office for the past five years.

The meat market business was initiated at Britt, by J. D. Smith, in June, 1879. After a year's trial of the trade, he dis- posed of it to the Young Brothers, but the latter, after six months had elapsed, sold out in turn to Pope & Hild who con- tinued to operate in that line until Octo- ber, 1882, when they were sneceeded by the present firm of Clemens & Smith. These gentlemen erected the building in which they carry on the business, and

which is especially designed for their line of trade.

John J. Clemens, of Clemens & Co. meat market, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., Dec. 22, 1852. While he was yet an infant his parents removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where they remained until 1859. They then went to MeGregor, Iowa, where he was reared and received his ed- ueation. When fifteen years of age he engaged with his father in the wagon making trade, which he followed there until 1881. He then came to Britt where he continued his trade until February, 1883, when he engaged in the meat market business. Previous to this date, however, in October, 1882, he was interested in the market, although he followed wagon making. lle was united in marriage Oct. 29, 1875, to Emma Sandganger, a native of Clayton Co., Iowa. They have one child-Raymond A. Mr. Clemens was a member of the first board of aldermen of Britt, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.

The pioneer livery stable was instituted by John Young in the spring of 1878. After about eighteen months he sold out to G. R. Wolfe, who in turn disposed of it to Broadhead & David, in October, 1883.

The livery stable of Mat Johnson was instituted by that gentleman in August, 1880, and is one of the thriving businesses of the town.

Mat Johnson, liveryman, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1854. When twelve years of age he removed with his family to Kellogg, Jasper Co., Iowa. In 1877 he came to Britt, elerking in the post- office one year, then engaging in farming. During the summer of 1878 he was also en- gaged in the agricultural implement trade.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

In the summer of 1880 he engaged in the livery business at Britt, which he still con- tinues. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonie fraternity. He is the secretary of the school district of Britt township.

The dray and transfer business was in- stituted by Ira Fay, in April, 1880, but three months later it passed into the hands of S. A. Healy who continued to operate it until July, 1883, when he sold it to its present proprietor, J. W. Finch.

The restaurant was opened by S. A. Ilealy in August, 1883, after he had dis- posed of his dray and transfer business. This was not the first in that line as J. D. Smith had established the pioneer one in April, 1880.

The pioneer blacksmith of this town was William S. Breeze, who located here and opened his shop during the spring of 1879. This business is represented by C. L. Palmer, a worthy son of Vulcan.

I. W. Sprague was the first carpenter and builder to locate in the town of Britt, arriving there from Chicago, July 24, 1878. This trade is represented in an able manner by C. B. Howell, Treganza Brothers, and I. W. Sprague.

Isaac W. Sprague, contractor and builder, was born Ang. 16, 1834, on Staten Island, N. Y. Ile there grew to manhood and learned the carpenter trade. In 1855 he went to Chicago, Ill., where he worked at his trade for five years. He then re- turned to New York, only remaining about one year, however, and then going again to Chicago where he was engaged in contraeting and building until in July, 1871, when he went to Denver, Col., where he remained until 1875, then re- turned to Chicago, and there resided until

July, 1878, then started for the Black Hills, but had only proceeded part way on his journey when he decided to locate at Britt, Iowa, where he has since been a prominent builder. Mr. Sprague was married Oct. 21, 1869, to Mary J. Glad- ding, a native of Michigan. They had two children-John H. and Emma E. Mrs. Sprague died Feb. 23, 1880. In October, 1882, Mr. Sprague married Agnes Graham, a native of Ohio.

Joseph A. Treganza, of the firm of Treganza Bros., furniture dealers, was born in Lafayette Co., Wis., Oct. 9, 1844. His parents, John and Anna (Roberts) Treganza, were among the pioneer settlers of that county and were natives of Eng- land. Joseph was educated and reared in Grant Co., Wis. In 1864 he went to Mon- roe, Wis., where he learned the trade of cabinet maker, at which he worked until 1879. He then came to Britt, Iowa, and with his brother, Thomas, engaged in the furniture business. Mr. Treganza is a member of Dennis Lodge, No. 431, A. F. & A. M., of Britt. He is also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. Ile has been a member of the board of aldermen of Britt since the organization of the city. The Treganza Bros, are among the prominent contractors and builders of Britt.

Besides these, the following businesses, professions and trades are ably represented in Britt: painter, A. E. Gifford; plaster- ers, Eli Blick and N. T. Frakes; barber, B. VanSickle; millinery, Miss Kenyon and Mrs. A. E. Gifford; boots and shoes, J. Tasker; harness maker, J. M. Duna- way; furniture dealers, Treganza Brothers.

Frank L. Fish was born in Canada, Aug. 17, 1849. Ile was there reared on a

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

farm. When twenty years of age he went to Ogle Co., Ill., there remaining two years. He then removed to Mississippi where he remained about three months. Hle then returned to Illinois and in Sep- tember, 1872, he returned to his native country, where he lived three years. He then returned to Illinois where he resided till March, 1879, when he came to Hancock Co., Iowa, locating on his present place. Ile has 280 acres of good land. Mr. Fish was married Feb. 11, 1870, to Mary A. D. Magoon, a native of Illinois. They have six children-Jane F., Leonard F., Nellie, Cora, Rankin M. and Lola B. Mr. Fish resides on section 20, Britt township.

Prominent among the first settlers of northwestern Iowa stands James Dickir- son, who was the first settler of Cerro Gordo county, and for years had no neigh- bors for miles and miles. After living there until it became a prosperous county he moved to Hancock county to help bear the hardships of its settlement. He was born in Orange Co., Ind., April 29, 1820. When seven years of age be moved with his parents, James and Mary (Plummer) Dickirson, to Lawrence Co., Ill., remain- ing until 1834. They then went to Jo Daviess Co., Ill. In 1844 James went to Jackson Co., Iowa, and in 1849 he re- moved to Clayton Co., Iowa, remaining there until 1851. Ile then moved to Cer- ro Gordo county. In 1879 he came to

Hancock county, locating on his present farm, where he has 240 acres of good land. His farm is situated on section 26, Britt township. Mr. Dickirson was mar- ried in May, 1842, to Eleanor Scofield. By this marriage he has one child living -John T. Mrs. Dickirson died in 1849. In April, 1851, Mr. Dickirson married Melissa Ellway, a native of Iowa. They had one child-Melissa J. Mrs. Diekir- son died in 1859. He married June 7, 1861, Annie Williams, a native of Penn- sylvania. They have two children-Jo- seph and William. Mr. and Mrs. Dickir- son are members of the Advent Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic order at Britt. He was once a trustee of Cerro Gordo, Iowa, and now holds the same office in this county.

John Paulson is a native of Denmark, born July 5, 1847. He was reared and educated in his native country. When twenty-one years of age he emigrated to the United States, locating in Racine, Wis., where he resided seven months. He then removed to Springfield, Ill., where he was engaged in the dairy busi- ness. In April, 1883, he came to Han- cock county, and now has 240 acres of well improved land on section 32, Britt township Mr. Paulson was married March 25, 1875, to Frederika Hammer, a native of Denmark. They have four children-Annie, John, Delia and Frank. Mr. Paulson is a member of the A.O.U. W.

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IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIX.

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

This territory comprises congressional township 96 north, range 23 west, of the 5th principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by Ellington township, on the south by Ell township, on the west by Garfield township, and on the east by Cerro Gordo county. It is somewhat sparsely watered, as but one stream is found within its limits, a branch of the lowa river intersecting sections 7, 8 and 19, in the western part of the township. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- way passes through the township from east to west, and there is projected another line of railway to intersect this portion of the county, north and south. This latter road may assume shape in the near future, much of the grading in this vicinity having been done. For some reason the "boys" have christened this the "slippery elm," and like all nicknames, this has alto- gether supplanted the real name of the road. The town of Garner and the vil- lage of Concord, the latter the county seat of government, are both located within the boundaries of Concord town- ship.

The first settlement in what is now Concord township was made by James M. Elder, who moved from the settlement in the lower part of the county in De- eember, 1865. The county seat had been

located at the embryo village of Concord the month previous, and Mr. Elder, hav- ing been elected clerk of the courts, re- moved to this spot, whither the records were being transported. Two small build- ings had been erected for the use of the county officials, a history of which ap- pears elsewhere.

HI. N. Brockway the then county treas- urer was the next to settle in this town being but a few days after Mr. Elder. Sketches of both these gentlemen in de- tail, may be found elsewhere in their proper place under title of county officers.

These two families, for both brought. theirs with them, were the only inhabit- ants of the township for over two years.

In 1868 John Milroy came here for the purpose of building the hotel for Leonard & Stanley, and after the building was erected, he purchased it and thus became the first landlord. This hotel was the first building in the township outside of the county offices and the dwelling of the officials in the village or township, and was erected during the year 1869. Mr. Milroy managed this tavern only a short time, when he skipped out, abandoning his family. He was a man of bad reputa- tion, of a rough and lawless disposition, and the infant settlement was the better for his departure.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

In 1869 Samuel R. Kelly came to Con- cord village with his sister, and made a settlement. A party by the name of Smith located in the village where all the settlements were first made in the early part of 1870, and was the first to teach school in the district. He was a highly religious man, much given to exhortations. Years ago he left this county and went to the southern part of the State, and has been lost sight of.

L. B. Bailey and John Maben became settlers in Concord village and township in January, 1869, they having been elected to official positions requiring their pres- enee here.

During the year 1868 or 1869, George S. Morse, located at the embryo village opened a store, but in 1870, C. D. Pritch- ard and William Finch came here and purchasing the stock of Mr. Morse, es- sayed to launch out as full fledged mer- chants. Shortly before this change a gro- cery store had been opened by the Knapp Brothers. This latter firm afterward re- moved to Garner, on the establishment of that town, where they followed the business for several years.

The Rev. Mr. Allen, a Congregational minister, located at Clear Lake, came up to this village and organized the first re- ligious services and preached the first sermon ever delivered in the township. This was in the court house previous to its completion, in 1869. This Mr. Allen was one of the characters, that in that early day shone ont with a bright and clear lustre; that by good words and good deeds have left their impress upon the country that was favored by their presence.

Rev. A. S. Allen was born in the village of Medfield, on Charles river, eighteen miles west of Boston, in the State of M.Is- sachusetts, on the 21st day of June, 1797. Between the years of 1812 and 1815, hoy as he was, he took an active part in the War with Great Britian, his father having taken part in the War of the Revolution, and assisted in achieving our Independ- ence. This son of a noble sire was filled with the martial spirit of his father, and served his country well till peace again spread its mantle over the borders of our land. At this time, and in this war, this young man was led to think, to form within his young mind, a love for his country, for the principles of freedom and a desire to transmit the same, unimpaired, to his children through subsequent gener- ations, and to this noble end he has always sided with his country and government; has always lived in accordance with the laws of the land; has never countenanced disloyalty or rebellion, but in all his ae- tions, doings and teachings has shown himself a lover of his country and her glorious institutions. From 1812 to 1820 he resided with his grand-parent, on his mother's side, ministering to his wants and caring for his old age, who, in return for his kindness, and out of love and af- fection, made him his heir to a small farm, which he sold soon afterwards and then re- moved to western New York, where he entered into the mercantile business, and in which business he continued for some five years. While residing in western New York, he held many important offices of trust, from justice of the peace to judge of the circuit court, receiving his appoint- ment at the hands of Gov. Troop, of that

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HISTORY OF IIANCOCK COUNTY.

State. He was then elected to the office of county treasurer, which he held with eredit to himself for the period of five years, removing to the county seat of Allegany county in 1831. He was li- eensed and ordained as a Christian min- ister at forty years of age, by the presby- tery of Angeliea, and became pastor of the Congregational Church at Cuba, N. Y., and remained as such for nine years. He then removed to Dodgeville, Wis., and organized a Congregational Church there, and was its pastor for nine years, then re- moved to Black Earth, and there organ- ized a Church, where he performed the duties of pastor for thirteen years, when he removed to Clear Lake, Iowa, where he died Nov. 7, 1876, aged seventy-nine years.

The first death in the township was Charles F., a son of James M. and Mary E. Elder, who died on the 2d of Septem- ber, 1866.

The first postoffice in the township was established at Coneord, or as it was then called, "Hancock Center," in 1867, with James M. Elder, as postmaster. For his labors in this office, he received the mu- nificent sum of $12 per year. He contin- ued to handle the mail for "Unele Sam- nel," until 1870, when he was sueeeeded by C. D. Pritehard, who however held it but a short time. In 1871 Charles C. Doolittle was commissioned to fill this position which he at present holds. The eares of the office are not very onerons, nor the pay very large, the latter being only $250 per year.

The village of Coneord has no busi- ness interests at present, the larger rail- road town of Garner, lying within a mile

of it, drawing all industries to itself and leaving Concord with no commeree what- soever.

The first eleetion in Coneord township for school direetors took place in Mareh, 1870, and resulted in the choice of J. M. Elder, Ira Bailey and Manser Dyer. At this election there were just ten votes east in the township.

The township of Coneord was organized in the fall of 1869, and the first election was held in October of that year. The following is a list of the first officers, ehosen at that time: J. M. Elder, Ira Bailey and Manser Dyer, trustees; John Milroy, elerk; J. M. Elder and Ira Bailey, justiees of the peace; A. Iloose and S. R. Kelley, constables, and Manser Dyer, road supervisor.

The present offieers are: II. F. Welle- meyer, Frederick Fenniger and William Yoter, trustees; Walter Dickson, clerk; J. M. Elder and A. R. Barnes, justices; J. E. Green, constable; George Terwilli- ger, assessor.

TOWN OF GARNER.

In the summer of 1870 John Maben, in eonjunetion with the C., M. & St. P. Railway Company, laid out a town plat on the southeast quarter of seetion 30, in township 96 north, range 23 west, and filed the plat for record on the 23d day of August, 1870. Shortly after this, inter- ests in the same were purchased by II. N. Brockway and Bush & Allen. This town was called Garner, after one of the rail- road officials, and almost from the start was the chief town in the county, a posi- tion it held until sinee 1880; but of late years it is threatened with a serious rival in the town of Britt, but with the public

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IHISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

spirited people of this city, so united in the strife to make Garner the leading town of the county against all rivals, it does seem that it may attain the reward and be the metropolis of Hancock county.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 83

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950